“Fly Away” [ft. Alozade & Gavsborg]

You know immediately when you’re listening to a song by Equiknoxx Music, Kingston’s most forward-thinking dancehall crew: They always open with their signature sound, the squawk of tropical birds flying overhead. The flock usually gives way to sawtoothed riddims reminiscent of Bounty Killer, but this duo (comprised of the Kingston producers Gavsborg and Time Cow) has even more tricks up their sleeve.

The pair’s latest single, “Fly Away,” opens into a sun-drenched soundscape of familiar warm synths and bird calls. But then, quickly, it dips into a denser world: The song picks up pace, and guest vocalist Alozade’s gravelly singing to take center stage—offering a rougher contrast to the song’s brightness. By the time “Fly Away” reaches its most turbulent, the riddim is ricocheting, skittering across the track, bouncing off Alozade’s insistent vocals. The push and pull makes “Fly Away” stormy and captivating all at once.